Thank heavens we don't have many winters like this one. It's caught out everyone, not least, Park Home dwellers like ourselves.

I'm sure that you've all had problems on your Parks, and not many Park owners will have accepted any responsibility for your access or safety. Once again, we've fallen between two stools. 'Not our responsibility' seems to have been the cry from owners and councils alike.

At least, it's made us recognise another failing in the legislation that is meant to protect us. Yes, we're on private land, but it hasn't stopped the councils finding us for council tax. Yes, park owners should make emergency plans to deal with whatever nature can throw at us, but in a dire emergency, neither should be allowed to turn their backs on us!

Many of us are elderly and perhaps infirm, but we chose to do what we can to avoid going into 'council care'. Living on a retirement park is one of the best ways that we can do that. We chose this way of life, looking for peace, security and community. We deserve consideration from all sides, and the legislation should make sure that we get it!

Let's hope that 2010 is a year when that hope becomes a reality.